BDU

Chapter 3
Basic editing tools
Object Selection
Before you start to use the AutoCAD Modify commands, you need to know something about
selecting objects. All of the Modify commands require that you make one or more object selections.
During the execution of editing commands you will be prompted to select objects. For instance, if
you need to move a number of objects about the screen you would activate the Move command and
you will be prompted to select the objects you require to move.
To modify any object, it is necessary to select the object. AutoCAD offers two methods to modify
the objects, these are:-
1. Issue a command first and select the objects to modify or
2. Select the object first and then issue a command.
Objects can be selected by two methods, individual selection by normal cursor mode and group
selection by making a selection window.
Group selection can be done by the following methods:-
A. Window (W): Lets you designate all objects that fall completely with in the window, created by
dragging the curser from left top corner to the right bottom corner.
B. Crossing (C): Similar to window except that objects contained within the rectangular boundary or
crossing will be selected, Created by moving curser from the right bottom corner to left upper
corner.
C. Fence (F): The Fence option allows you to draw a multi-segment line, like a Polyline. All objects
which cross the fence will be selected. The Fence option is invoked by typing F at the "Select
objects" prompt.
Command:
(start one of the Modify commands such as ERASE)
Command Sequence
Select objects: F
First fence point: (pick first point)

Modify toolbars
While working with AutoCAD, you'll quickly run into situations that requere you to use modify
tools. As the name suggests, modify tools are used to modify existing lines and objects.

Erase Command
The Erase command is used to erase selected objects permanently from the drawing.

Modify toolbar
Modify menu Erase
Command line entry Erase
Alias E

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Command Sequence

Command: ERASE
Select objects: (pick an object to erase)
Select objects: (to end the selection and erase the object)

Copy Command
Used to copy an existing object and place the copied object at a specified location. The copy
multiple options allows you to place multiple copies of selected objects throughout the drawing.

Modify toolbar
Modify menu Copy
Command line entry Copy
Alias Cp

Command Sequence
Command: COPY
Select objects: (pick object to copy, P1)
Select objects: (to end selection)
Specify base point or displacement, or [Multiple]: (pick P2 or M for multiple copies)
Specify second point of displacement or <use first point as displacement>: (pick
P3)
The multiple option allows you to create additional copies of the selected object(s) by picking as
many new points as you like. To end a multiple copy, just hit the key.
Notice that the "Base point", P2 and the "Second point", P3 do not have to be picked on or near the
object. The two points are simply used to indicate the distance and direction of the copied object
from the original object.

Move Command
Lets you move one or more objects from one location to another without changing orientation with
in the drawing area.

Modify toolbar
Modify menu Move
Command line entry Move
Alias M

Rotate Command
Used to change the orientation of existing objects by rotating them about a fixed base point. A
positive rotation angle rotates the object(s) anti-clockwise, whilst a negative rotation angle rotates
the object(s) clockwise.

Modify command
Modify menu Rotate
Command line entry Rotate
Alias Ro

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Command Sequence

Command: ROTATE
Current positive angle in UCS: ANGDIR=counterclockwise ANGBASE=0
Select objects: (pick object to rotate, P1)
Select objects: (to end selection)
Specify base point: (pick base point, P2)
Specify rotation angle or [Reference]: (pick second point, P3 or enter angle)

Note: You can change the angle direction and the base angle using the Units command, Format
Units… from the pull-down menu. Click the "Clockwise" check box to change the direction and
click the "Direction…" button to set the base angle.

Offset Command

Offset is probably one of the most useful commands for constructing drawings. The Offset
command creates a new object parallel to or concentric with a selected object. The new object is
drawn at a user defined distance (the offset) from the original and in a direction chosen by the user
with a pick point. You can offset lines, arcs, circles, ellipses, 2D polylines, xlines, rays and planar
splines.

Modify toolbar
Modify menu Offset
Command line entry Offset
Alias Of

Command Sequence

Command: OFFSET
Specify offset distance or [Through] <1.0000>: 10 (specify distance)
Select object to offset or <exit>: (select object, P1)
Specify point on side to offset: (pick direction, P2)
Select object to offset or <exit>: (to end or select another object to offset)

Mirror Command
To create mirror images of the object in selected direction. It helps to complete drawing faster if the
object is symmetrical about any axis.

Modify toolbar
Modify menu Mirror
Command line entry Mirror
Alias Mr
The mirror line can be at any angle and length. The user has option to delete the originally selected
objects if only the mirrored version is required.

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Command Sequence

Command: MIRROR
Select objects: (pick object to mirror, P1)
Select objects: (to end selection)
Specify first point of mirror line: (pick P2)
Specify second point of mirror line: (pick P3)
Delete source objects? [Yes/No] <N>: (for No to keep the original object)

Fillet Command
Used to connect two lines, arcs or circles by means of a smoothly fitted arc of a specified radius. The
fitted command can be applied to an entire polyline if the fillet-polyline option is selected.

Modify toolbar
Modify menu Fillet
Command line entry Fillet
Alias F
You can fillet
• Arcs, Circles, Ellipses and elliptical arcs, Lines, Polylines, Rays, Splines, Xlines
Options
Polyline: If poly line is selected fillets every corner of it
Trim: It has two options Trim and No Trim.
If Trim is taken extra length at the end of the object beyond the arc is cut off.
If No Trim is taken object retains it's length while fitted arc is created.
Command Sequence
Command: FILLET
Current settings: Mode = TRIM, Radius = 10.0000
Select first object or [Polyline/Radius/Trim]: R
Specify fillet radius <10.000>: 25
Select first object or [Polyline/Radius/Trim]: (pick P1)
Select second object : (pick P2)

Chamfer Command
Used to connect two lines by means of a line of a specified length or angle. The chamfer command
can be applied to an entire polyline if the chamfer polyline option is selected.

Modify toolbar
Modify menu Chamfer
Command line entry Chamfer
Alias Cha
Command Sequence
Command: CHAMFER
(TRIM mode) Current chamfer Dist1 = 10.0000, Dist2 = 10.0000
Select first line or [Polyline/Distance/Angle/Trim/Method]: D (to set distances)
Specify first chamfer distance <10.0000>: 20 (enter required distance)

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Specify second chamfer distance <20.0000>: (first distance value or enter a different value)
Select first line or [Polyline/Distance/Angle/Trim/Method]: (pick P1)
Select second line: (pick P2)

Extend Command
Extends the end of selected objects to precisely meet at a boundary defined by another object.

Modify toolbar
Modify menu Extend
Command line entry Extend
Alias Ex
Options
Project: used in 3D space
Edge: Determines whether object is extended to another objects imaginary projected end or only to
ay object that actually intersects with it.
Extend: Extends the ends even though; the boundary is not actually intersecting with it after
extending.
No extend: Object will not extend, if the boundary object does not intersect with it, after extending.
Command Sequence
Command: EXTEND
Current settings: Projection=UCS Edge=None
Select boundary edges ...
Select objects: (select the boundary edge, P1)
Select objects: (to end boundary edge selection)
Select object to extend or shift-select to trim or [Project/Edge/Undo]: (pick the
object which you want to be extended, P2)
Select object to extend or shift-select to trim or [Project/Edge/Undo]: (pick
another object which you want to be extended, P3)
Select object to extend or shift-select to trim or [Project/Edge/Undo]: (to end)

Trim Command

To cut off or erase an object precisely at an edge defined by one or more objects. Can also be used to
cut off part of the object in between two defined edges. The Trim command can be used to trim a
part of an object. In order to trim an object you must draw a second object which forms the "cutting
edge". Cutting edges can be lines, xlines, rays, polylines, circles, arcs or ellipses.

Modify toolbar
Modify menu Trim
Command line entry Trim
Alias Tr

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Command Sequence
Command: TRIM
Current settings: Projection=UCS Edge=None
Select cutting edges ...
Select objects: (select the cutting edge, P1)
Select objects: (to end cutting edge selection)
Select object to trim or shift-select to extend or [Project/Edge/Undo]:(pick the
part of the square which you want to trim, P2)
Select object to trim or shift-select to extend or [Project/Edge/Undo]: (pick the
circle, P3)
Select object to trim or shift-select to extend or [Project/Edge/Undo]: (to end)

Scale Command
Enlarges or reduces the size of objects equally in x, y and z directions, according to the scale factor
given about a base point. If scale factor is greater than 1, object is enlarged and if it is less than 1,
object is reduced.
Modify toolbar
Modify menu Scale
Command line entry Scale
Alias Sc
Command Sequence
Command: SCALE
Select objects: (pick objects to be scaled, P1)
Select objects: (to end selection)
Specify base point: (pick base point, P2)
Specify scale factor or [Reference]: (pick second point, P3 or enter scale factor)

Stretch Command

The Stretch command can be used to move one or more vertices of an object whilst leaving the rest
of the object unchanged. In the example below, a rectangle has been stretched by moving one vertex
to create an irregular shape.

Objects to be stretched should be selected using a crossing box.

Modify toolbar
Modify menu Stretch
Command line entry Stretch
Alias S

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Command Sequence
Command: STRETCH
Select objects to stretch by crossing-window or crossing-polygon...
Select objects: (pick first point of crossing window)
Specify opposite corner: (pick second point of window)
Select objects: (to end selection)
Specify base point or displacement: (pick base point)
Specify second point of displacement: (pick second point)

Array Command
You can create copies of objects in a rectangular or polar (circular) pattern called an array. For
rectangular array, you control the number of rows and columns and the distance between each. For
polar array, you control the number of copies of the object and whether the copies are rotated. To
create many regular spaced objects arraying is faster than coping.

Modified toolbar
Modified menu Array
Command line entry Array
Alias Ar
Rectangular or Polar Array: select option "rectangular" or "polar" from screen menu
For rectangular array the resulting array is, therefore, always created with the original object in the
bottom left hand position with respect to the current co-ordinate system.

For the rectangular array:

2. Enter the number of rows required in the

Rows edit box. Notice that the schematic
preview on the right hand side of the
dialogue box updates to reflect the values
you are entering.
3. Enter the number of columns required in
the Columns edit box.
4. Enter the row offset in the Row Offset edit
box. This will be center to center distance
of the objects of the horizontal layer.
5. Enter the column offset in the Column
Offset edit box. It is center to center
distance of the objects in the vertical
layers.

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For the polar array:

2. Specify the center point for the array. You can

do
this
by

entering x and y co-ordinates into the appropriate edit

boxes if you know what these values should be.
However, this is rarely the case and most often you will
want to click the Pick Center Point button to pick a
point from
the drawing area.

3. Enter a value for the total number of items. Notice that once again, the schematic preview
updates to reflect the values you have entered.

4. Make sure that the Rotate items as copied checkbox is checked. Rotates the items in the array, as
shown in the preview area.

Break Command
The break command will erase apart of selected object specified by two points. The break command
work in anti-clockwise direction and when you select CAD automatically understand that selection
as the first breaking point, but if you want to have another first breaking point you can inter F [First
point] from the command.
Modify toolbar
Modify menu Break
Command line entry Break
Alias Br

Command Sequence
Command: BREAK
Select objects: (select the object using the first break point, P1)

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Specify second break point or [First point]: (pick the second break point, P2)
The section of the object is removed and the command ends.
Lengthen Command
The lengthen command is used to change the length of an object. It can be applied only for open
ends of object not for closed objects like circle, ellipse.

Modify Toolbar
Modify menu Lengthen
Keyboard LENGTHEN
Alias LEN

Options
Delta: Change the length of the object by a specified increment length, measured from the end point
of the selected object, closest to the pick point.
Percent: Sets the length of an object by a specified % of it's total length, the original length equals
100%.
Total: Sets the length of a selected object by specifying the total absolute length.
Dynamic: Dynamically changes the length or angle of the selected object while dragging the mouse.
Command Sequence
Command: LENGTHEN
Select an object or [DElta/Percent/Total/DYnamic]: DY
Select an object to change or [Undo]: (select a line or arc)
Specify new end point: (pick new end point)
Select an object to change or [Undo]: (to end)

Explode Command
you need to modify one or more objects within a block separately, you can disassemble, or explode,
the block reference into its component objects. After making the changes, you can
• Create a new block definition
• Redefine the existing block definition

Modify toolbar
Modify menu Explode
Command line entry Explode
Alias Exp

The Explode command is used to "explode" single objects back to their constituent parts. In other
words, the command is used to return blocks, polylines etc. (which may be composed of a number of
component objects) back to their individual component parts. The change has no visible effect.

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